Colton Herta is in Cadillac’s sights for 2026

General Motors brand has finally been accepted as new F1 team starting from 2026, although several compromises were needed to make this project happen, where the previous initiative of Andretti Global had failed earlier this year.

The composition of the driver team is already the subject of debate, and Mario Andretti, now a member of the board of directors of the GM/Cadillac racing program, has confirmed that Colton Herta remains at the top of the list.

Since the beginning of this project, the team has always considered Colton Herta as one of the drivers, Andretti told Autosport. To my knowledge, we have not discussed it recently because there is still time, but it remains a priority.

« I am certain that this is also the direction he would like to take. He trained in this environment, he raced alongside drivers like, to name just one, Lando Norris, who is obviously very prominent today at McLaren. He is from that generation, still young, dynamic, and ready to take on the challenge.

Herta has already received an offer in F1.

Colton Herta had been touted for a seat in F1 with Red Bull and its sister team (then AlphaTauri), but was unable to make the transition due to insufficient points to obtain the FIA superlicense. The American must accumulate 40 points over the three-year period preceding the year of application, or over the two previous years combined with the points obtained during the year of application.

Colton Herta currently has 32 points over the past three seasons: 30 for his second place in this year’s IndyCar series and one point for each of his 10th place finishes in the previous two years.

This means that he must finish at least fourth next season to earn the necessary points, or fifth if he takes part in an F1 testing session. « Yes, I think all these options are feasible, honestly », said Andretti.

« There is a way to achieve this. I think the points system, obviously, requires being aware of the requirements, but I believe it is achievable, especially with a little more luck for him in IndyCar.

« I am sure that if he had won the championship this year, he would have met all the conditions. However, I do not think this is a real cause for concern. Frankly, I think it is close enough to be achievable.